A report from the energy think tank Ember reveals that solar power accounted for 10% of Japan's total electricity generation last year, surpassing the global average of 9%. According to Ember's flagship report, the Global Electricity Review, released on Tuesday, Japan's solar generation share has doubled over the past decade. Ember noted that while fossil fuels still contribute nearly 70% of Japan's electricity, the expansion of renewable energy and nuclear power is gradually reducing imports of natural gas and coal. Ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg indicates that Japan's liquefied natural gas imports from abroad have decreased by approximately 16% between 2018 and 2025. The latest global annual data from the European Commission shows that Japan is one of five major polluting countries or regions to have reduced total greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, achieving a reduction of 2.8%. However, Japan's goal to cut emissions by 60% from 2013 levels by 2035 is considered insufficient and does not currently ensure the country can reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Aditya Lolla, Head of Ember's Asia Programme, stated, "Japan has made some progress in expanding solar power generation. Although the recently proposed plan to boost renewable energy by 2040 is a positive step, the country's relatively low nationally determined contribution target may leave it lagging behind other developed nations in the energy transition."
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